Tuesday, 1st November – Saturday, 26th December 2022
& Thursday, 4th of May – Friday, 5th of May 2023
Not Now
by David Ireland
The MAC Belfast & the Finborough Theatre
The English Premiere
“You’re an Irish Daniel Radcliffe.”
“I’m British!”
“You’re a British Daniel Radcliffe. From Ireland.”
The morning after his father’s funeral, an unsure and still grief-stricken Matthew prepares to fly to London to audition for the prestigious drama school, RADA.
When his painter-decorator Uncle Ray interrupts his private rendition of Richard III’s opening monologue to offer some unwanted direction and dubious career advice, Matthew starts to doubt whether he should really be leaving Belfast in the first place.
Or is Belfast where he truly belongs?
Originally presented by A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Glasgow’s Òran Mór in May 2022 to critical acclaim, Not Now is a sharply written, heartfelt comedy about the past, identity and moving on – from the multi award-winning author of Cyprus Avenue.
CAST
Matthew | Matthew Blaney
Ray | Stephen Kennedy
CREATIVE
Director | Max Elton
Set & Costume Design | Ceci Calf
Lighting Design | Mattis Larsen
Sound Design & Composition | Jack Baxter
Stage Management | Molly Tackaberry
Producer | Sarah Roy
Associate Producer | Briar Knowles
Reviews & Nominations
“Theatre at its best. Not an inch of fat in it. Tight, absorbing, funny”
“a wonderful, life-affirming play that is well-nigh perfect!”
“Max Elton… keeps the two men’s awkward secrets at the heart of a short, sweet and rueful comedy”
“Ireland’s dialogue is nonstop sparkle… beautifully judged in Max Elton’s production”
“Beautifully written inter-generational clash”
“You are in for something special”
“uncompromisingly raw but delicately precise”
NOMINATED | OFFIES, Matthew Blaney for Lead Performance in a Play 2022
NOMINATED | OFFIES, Stephen Kennedy for Lead Performance in a Play 2022
NOMINATED | London Pub Theatres Magazine, Standing Ovation Award 2022
